8 New York State Parks Where You Can Go Cross Country Skiing

Are you getting ready for winter? There are many places that you can step outside and enjoying not only fresh air, but also get some exercise and have some fun. Have you ever tried cross country skiing? It is a great way to get some cardio and full body exercise.

What is cross country skiing and how does it differ from regular skiing? Cross country skiing is more of a stride in motion, where downhill skiing is more about negotiating mountains, hills, moguls and other people.

Where can you go cross country skiing at New York State Parks locations?

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While not all of the New York State Parks location offer cross country skiing as one of their recreation options, make sure to contact your local NYS Parks location, to see everything that your park offers:

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Putman County NY

Anthony Wayne Recreation Area at Harriman State Park, Palisades Parkway, Exit 17, Bear Mountain, NY 10911. You can go cross country skiing, along with snow shoeing and winter hiking.
Fahnestock State Park, 1498 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512. In addition to snow shoeing, cross country skiing and hiking, you can also go ice fishing as well.

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Orange County NY:

Bear Mountain State Park, Palisades Parkway or Route 9W North, Bear Mountain, NY 10911. This is another place that you can go winter hiking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing.

Ulster County NY:

Franny Reese State Park, Johnson-Iorio Park, Haviland Rd, Highland, NY 12528. This is a hidden park on the West side of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. In addition to hiking, you can also go cross country skiing and snow shoeing.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve, 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. There is a fee to park here, and a day use fee. While you are visiting this park, you can go hiking, plus you can go snow shoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Dutchess County NY:

James Baird State Park, 14 Maintenance Lane, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569. You can go snow shoeing, cross country skiing and hiking in the winter here.
Mills Norrie State Park (Margaret Lewis Norrie) Old Route 9, Staatsburg. This is another place with great, wide-open spaces. During the winter, you can go snow shoeing, cross country skiing and hiking.
Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills State Park, Mills Mansion 1 Road
Staatsburg, NY 12580. At this park in addition to the cross-country skiing, and hiking, you can also go sledding at this park.

Which is your favorite New York State Park for outdoor winter activities? Share it with us!

Looking for more places to go snow skiing in the Hudson Valley? Here are a few more:

These 8 ski resorts are the highest rated locations in and around the Hudson Valley according to Yelp, with no less than 20 reviews. Start packing those snow shows, parkas, and more because your next winter weekend getaway can be found right here.

Snow means that there will be shoveling. Here are a few tips to make sure you do it the safe way.

Love Winter Sports? Here are places that you can go snow tubing in NYS! Have a Blast!

Back in the day, the closest we came to snow tubing was hopping on a bent and dinged silver metal "saucer" and then throwing ourselves hurtling down a snowy (and rocky) hill. It was fun, but....ouch!

Today's snow tubers have it made. Groomed snow lanes and conveyor lifts to catch a ride back to the top of the hill. And no rocks! All of this has made snow tubing in Upstate New York one of the fastest-growing winter activities for families of all ages.

While keeping in mind that almost every ski resort in the state now offers snow tubing, here are ten you really should check out.

So, throw that old saucer away and head for the snow tube trails!